X-ray cabinet ahd machine



w. H. THWVAITES.

X-RAY CABINET AND MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 3. 1921.

2,223,635. Patented uly 25, 1922.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

W. H. THWA|TES'..

X-RAY CABINET AND MACHINE,

APPLICATION FILED JAN-3,1921.

1,423,635, Patented July 25, 1922.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

I lilil I w i mn glfeg W. H. THWAITES.

X-RAY CABINET AND MACH INE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN- 31 1921 Patented July 25, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

7 Mid mm AT ENT FFEQE.

X-RAY CABINET AND MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 25; 1922.

Application filed January 3, 1921. Serial No. 434:,448.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. THWAITES, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in X-Ray Cabinets and Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to .make and use the same.

This invention relates to-an X-ray cabinet and particularly a cabinet in which an X-ray tube and energizing mechanism therefor may be mounted-so that the tube may be turned to different positions as is necessary in working with the machine, especially in dental work where X-ray photographs are to be takenof the teeth. It is a primary object and purpose to construct a cabinet'and machine of this-character, mounting the ray tube therein for turning movement about a horizontal axis, and covering andenclosing all high tension circuit wires entirely within the cabinet so that there can be no danger of bringing the person of either the operator or the patient into contact therewith, this being a valuable feature from the stand point of safety in using and operating the apparatus. @ther objects and purposes, all tending to simplicity of structure and operation of the apparatus will appear fully and in detail as understanding of the invention is had from the following description, taken in connection with he accompanying drawing, in

which,

Fig. l is a perspective view of the cabinet. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the cabinet, the X-ray apparatus being shown in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section through the tube holder. 1

Fig. 4- is a transverse vertical section through the upper part of the cabinet and the apparatus therein, and

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of one of the supporting brackets on which the tube holder is mounted. 1

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different figures of the drawings.

In the construction, a lower cabinet structure 1 rectangular in cross section is provided at the upper end of which a frame having side pieces 2 is placed, the frame being the rays as is obvious.

ing open between said side pieces. A cylindrical upper cabinet part having ends 3 and curved sides 5 is located above and between the sides 2 of the frame, the parts 3 being of relatively heavy construction forming frame members for the upper cabinet structure while the intermediate portion 4 is relatively thin and light. The ends of the upper structure are closed by light pieces 5 suitably secured to the frame members 3. Substantially midway between the ends of the portion 4 it is slotted transversely as indicated at 6 for a purpose later described.

Two bars 7 attached to the under side of horizontal boards 8 extend transversely across the cabinet being spaced apart and located in the plane of the frame heretofore described, said boards 8 being attached to the frame. Two brackets 9 are attached to and extend upwardly from bars 7 each at its upper end terminating in an open socket 10 as shown. A horizontally positioned rod 11 having its ends terminating in p-intles 12 is disposed between the sockets with the pintles seated in the sockets and a post 13 extends downwardly from the rod between its ends, being formed integral therewith and having a heavy weight 14 integral therewith at its lower end. At the upper end of the post 13 a shallow concaved seat 15 is made into which the lower member of an X- ray tube holder is seated and to which it is attached.

The tube holder is of lead and is completed by an upper member 17 detachably connected to the lower member 16 by hooks 18. The upper member has a neck 19 formed integral therewith and extending through the slot 6 in the upper cabinet construction above which it is equipped with an insulating ring 20. The neck has a passage therethrough to the interior of the tube holder through which the rays given off by the tube pass, the ring 20 around the neck freely pass- A curved slot cover 21 is attached to the neck 19 under the ring 20 and is held at its edges by curved guides 22, it being apparent that the cover 21 at all-times keeps the slot 6 covered from the under side as the tube holder is moved back and forth about the axis of the rod 11. It is evident that the construction is more or less balanced and that the weight 14 has a tendency to return the tube holder to an upright position when it is moved therefrom,

not, however, interposing any great 0bstacle to its being moved away from such position.

The X-ray tube is of usual construction, including an enlarged central bulb 23 from which arms 24 project in opposite directions. The bulb 23 is positioned within the tube container directly under the opening through the neck 19, and the arms pass through and beyond the sides of the lead tube container. These arms are covered by sleeves 25 held between securing collars 26 and 27 as shown. It is evident that with the swinging of the tube container about the axis of rod 11, the tube moves with it so that at all times the bulb in which the anode and cathode of the tube are located is directly below the neck 19 and the opening therein whereby rays are given off and pass through said opening, and have passage at no other place, lead being a substantial insulation against the passage of X-rays.

The wiring of the apparatus is not important in this invention, being that commonly used in X-ray apparatus. The lower portion 1 of the cabinet is a convenient place in which to house the transformer which changes the low tension current to high tension such as is required for use with tubes of this character, and a rod 29 may be mounted in the lower portion of the lower cabinet structure 1, having an operating pedal 30 at each end to be operated by the foot to close the switch 31 when the apparatus is used, all electrical connections and carriers of current being completely housed. In the circuit the usual indicator instruments are used, and an opening 32 is made in one end member 5 of the upper cabinet structure through which the indicating instrument is visible but at the same time enclosed against personal contact. In fact no electrical connection, particularly of high tension character can be reached when the cabinet is in service. This is a safety feature of great value.

With this construction of X-ray cabinet, particularly in dental work, the patient may be placed in proper position with reference to the outer ring 20 to take one or several X-ray photographs of the teeth, the ray apparatus itself being readily turned to any desired position to best locate it for the patient. This free movement of the tube and attached apparatus is another novel and valuable feature of the invention. The cabi net is high enough that it accommodates all persons of ordinary average height and the operator of the machine may move the ring mouth to the desired position and locate the patient with his hands while the throwing on of the current is done by foot operation of one of the pedals 30. The construction is particularly safe, practical and convenient to operate and has so proven in practice. The

appended claims define the invention and I consider myself entitled to all forms of structure falling within their scope.

I claim:

1. In combination, a cabinet having a horizontally located cylindrical upper portion formed with a transverse slot between its ends, a tube holding housing mounted to turn about a horizontal axis within said upper portion of the cabinet. said housing having a neck projecting therefrom through said slot, and an X-ray tube mounted horizontally within the housing.

2. In combination, a cabinet having a curved portion with a transverse. slot therein, a tube holding housing mounted to turn about an axis substantially identical with the axis of said curved portion of the cabinet. said housing having a neck extending through the slot. and an X-ray tube mounted within the housing.

3. A construction containing the elements in combination defined in claim 2 and means for normally maintaining the housing in a predetermined position andfor returning it to said position when moved therefrom.

4. A construction containing the elements in combination defined in claim 1, and means attached to and depending from the housing for normally maintaining the housing in a predetermined position and returning it to said position when moved therefrom.

5. In combination, a cabinet including a horizontally located substantially cylindrical upper portion and having a transverse slot between its ends. two spaced apart brackets mounted within the cabinet, a rod positioned horizontally between and rotatably mounted at its ends in said brackets, said rod having a downwardly extending post terminating in a weight integral therewith and positioned between its ends. a hollow housing connected to and above the rod between its ends. said housing at its upper side having a neck passing through the slot in the cabinet, and an X-ray tube mounted within the housing.

6. A construction containing the elements in combination defined in claim 2, combined with a ring mouth attached to the outer end of said neck.

7. A construction containing the elements in combination defined in claim 2. combined with a slot cover located under the curved portion of the cabinet. said neck of the housing passing through the slot cover whereby said slot cover moves with the movements of the housing.

8. In combination, a cabinet having a lower portion and an upper horizontally located cylindrical portion provided with a transverse slot between its ends, a twoepart housing mounted to turn about a horizontal axis within the upper portion of the cabinet, means for detachably connecting the housmg parts together, the upper part Of the housing having a neck projecting therefrom' through said slot, an X-ray tube located horizontally Within the housing, and a transformer located in the lower part of the cabinet.

9. In combination, a cabinet, an X-ray tube located horizontally therein, a housing therefor mounted to turn about a horizontal axis, said. housing having a projecting neck 10 passing through a slot in the cabinet, a

transformer located in the cabinet below the tube, switch mechanism Within the cabinet, and means for operating the same from Without the cabinet, all high tension electrical connections and apparatus being located entirely Within the cabinet, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

WILLIAM H. THWAITE-S. 

